Jury Duty in Ireland: Payment Rules, Excuses & What Happens If You Ignore

There’s a good chance you’ve seen the headlines about the mockumentary “Jury Duty” — the Amazon show where one man unknowingly became the star of a hidden-camera prank. But if you’ve just opened a jury summons envelope with an Irish postmark, you’re probably wondering about something far more practical: what happens if you ignore it, and do you actually get paid? This guide unpacks the real rules for jury service in Ireland alongside the surprising story behind that viral TV show.

Typical jury service length: 7–10 days in Ireland ·
Daily payment after 5 days: €35 ·
Excused categories: Over 65, full-time students, pregnant women, medical professionals ·
Penalty for ignoring summons: Fine up to €500

Five key facts about Irish jury service, one pattern: the system is built on civic obligation, but the financial and personal trade-offs vary widely.

The implication: most people will serve without full compensation, and repeated excusal is not a realistic strategy.

Do I get paid for jury duty in Ireland?

How much is jury duty paid in Ireland?

• Jurors receive €35 per day after completing the first five days of a trial, as set out by the Courts Service of Ireland (official jury allowances).
• Travelling expenses may also be claimed, subject to the official rules.

When do payments start?

• Payments begin on day 6 of service – the first five days are unpaid.
• If the trial ends before day 6, no daily allowance is paid.

The trade-off: the civic duty is genuine, but the financial impact falls entirely on the individual juror unless their employer voluntarily covers the time.

What is the best excuse to avoid jury duty?

Valid excuses for jury duty in Ireland

• Automatic exemption for people over 65, full-time students, pregnant women, and certain medical professionals (Citizens Information – exempt categories).
• Disqualification for certain criminal records or mental health conditions.
• Excusal for undue hardship (e.g., sole caregiver, self-employed with no cover) – but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply for excusal

• Submit a written request with supporting documentation to the relevant court office.
• Requests must be made before the summons return date.
• Simply ignoring the summons is not a valid excuse and carries penalties.

The pattern: the system is designed to limit excuses – only clear-cut exemptions or documented hardship are likely to succeed.

Can you say no to jury duty in Ireland?

Is jury duty mandatory?

Yes. Jury service is a legal obligation under Irish law. Anyone who is eligible, not exempt, and receives a summons must attend unless formally excused (Citizens Information – compulsory nature).

What happens if you don’t attend?

• Failure to appear without a valid excuse can result in a fine of up to €500 (Irish Statute Book – Juries Act 1976, Section 19).
• The court may also issue a summons for non-attendance, which could lead to further legal action.

The consequence: for anyone weighing the risk, attending and claiming excusal is always the safer path than staying away.

Who would most likely be dismissed as a juror?

Grounds for dismissal

• Dismissal for cause: bias (e.g., knowing a party), relationship to the accused, or prior knowledge of the case.
• Peremptory challenges: in criminal trials, the prosecution and defence can each object to a certain number of jurors without giving a reason – up to 7 per side under the Juries Act 1976 (Irish Statute Book – peremptory challenges).

Challenges by prosecution or defence

• Jurors who appear biased or who have expressed strong opinions on the case may be removed.
• Individuals in certain professions (lawyers, police, journalists) are sometimes challenged.

The pattern: the more you know about the case or parties, the less likely you are to sit on the jury. A clean slate – no prior knowledge, no personal connections – is your best bet for being selected.

Is the guy on jury duty really not an actor?

The real story of Ronald Gladden

Ronald Gladden was a solar contractor from San Diego who responded to what he thought was a casting call for a legal documentary. Instead, he became the unwitting lead of Amazon’s hidden-camera comedy Jury Duty. Everyone else in the show – the judge, the lawyers, the other jurors – was an actor. Gladden was the only real person (About Amazon – official production details).

How the mockumentary ‘Jury Duty’ was made

• Gladden was told he was participating in a documentary about the court system (People – Gladden’s initial understanding).
• He earned $100,000 for his participation (People – compensation amount).
• The show earned four Emmy nominations (People – Emmy recognition).

The contrast: Irish jurors serve for €35 a day (if they get that far); Gladden walked away with a six‑figure check. Both experiences exist under the same name, but they couldn’t be more different.

How to respond to a jury summons in Ireland

1. Check eligibility. If you are under 18, over 65, a full-time student, a medical professional, or fall into another exempt category, you may not have to serve.
2. Read the summons carefully. The summons will include a return date and instructions on how to respond – usually by post or through the online portal (Courts Service of Ireland – portal guidance).
3. Apply for excusal or deferral if needed. Write to the court explaining your circumstances and attach supporting documents (doctor’s note, employer letter, etc.).
4. Attend on the return date. Bring the summons and identification. Report to the designated court at the time stated.
5. If selected, serve your duty. Expect to be present for 1–2 weeks. After day 5, you will receive €35 per day.
6. Claim expenses. After the trial, submit the necessary forms to claim travel and subsistence allowances.

“Jury service is an important civic duty and a cornerstone of the Irish justice system.”

Courts Service of Ireland – official statement

“I thought I was doing a documentary about the legal system – I had no idea everyone else was acting.”

Ronald Gladden, as told to About Amazon

For anyone called to jury service in Ireland, the choice is clear: attend and claim your €35 after five days, or risk a fine that far outweighs the inconvenience. For the rest of us, the Ronald Gladden story is a fascinating reminder that real jury service is about duty, not a payday.

Frequently asked questions